12 March 2010

I live in community 318/14D in Karama, Dubai. It has been over a month since the civic authorities (Etisalat) have carried out some cabling work in the area. But still bricks and sand lie about. Not a day passes without the residents in the area and cars passing by are subjected to mud balls being thrown at them. The photos show small children throwing these mud balls.

I request the authorities concerned — the RTA, Dubai Police and Ministry of Public Works — to look into this issue at the earliest. It is just a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured.

12 March 2010

Recently, I had a very bad experience with my (local) bank. I have been operating my account with them for the past 15 years, during which I had deposited and drawn cheques. I have never faced any problem.

Last week, I deposited a cheque (the amount was slightly bigger) through their CDM and even after three days, my account was not credited nor was I informed about the fate of the cheque.

I contacted the bank and I was told that the cheque was not sent for collection because the beneficiary’s full name was not written as per the passport (initials were used for the middle and last names) according to the new regulation. If the beneficiary’s full name as per passport has to be written on a cheque leaf, then the length of the leaf has to be increased by three folds.

I would like to ask the bank that if any such regulation has come into force, then why are customers not intimated? I feel it is a ploy of the bank to utilise the funds for two days without any charges. I have also requested the drawee to check with his bank and find out when his account was debited.

12 March 2010

I hope this is a rare incident that happens in every society due to a few perverted and corrupt minds, and it is not hyped up as a portentous sign of any deep-rooted evil. I refer to the news of the gruesome murder of a teenage boy by his friends over a simple verbal volley.

However, this is a good example of how the contemporary lifestyle, based on consumerism, undermine the moral fabric of society to the extent of taking the life of a fellow being. It is akin to what we hear from the so-called ‘advanced countries’.

We should raise our children in the crucible of our most revered moral values instead of buying for them the ‘alien’ culture in the form of various materials available in the market, which makes them lose the values of love, kindness and patience.

I wish this incident would be the first and the last of its kind and serves as a wake up call to those responsible to step in, to cure the disease which will gnaw away our younger generation, if left unchecked.

12 March 2010

With regard to the news, ‘Dubai to Clamp down on Youth Carrying Weapons’ (KT, March 8), not only youth, but any person who is found carrying weapon(s) should be given strict punishment/penalty. There needs to be a system to educate the culprit about the consequences of possessing weapon(s) which put the life of others in danger.

No one should be spared for keeping weapons which might hurt others even if it is not used.

12 March 2010

I appreciate the action with regard to parking fines (‘11,897 Parking Fines Issued in Feb’, KT, March 9). However, a consideration should be given to the person who gets a fine for the first time. Also, the authorities should make sure that enough parking lots are available in that location.

Many do not get parking even after paying the yearly permit. I know of people who park their vehicles very far and take a cab to their apartments.